Marketing team finishes third overall
A team of Conestoga marketing students finished third overall at the
Ontario Colleges' Marketing Competition on Nov. 16
and 17.
The competition, held at Algonquin College in Ottawa, involved teams of
four from approximately 15 colleges competing in various events such as
retailing, entrepreneurship and marketing research which tested individual
and team marketing skills.
Lisa Symons, co-ordinator of the third-year marketing program and a professor,
said the OCMC is very intense but an excellent experience.
" The competition is a fast-paced environment which requires participants
to do a lot of problem solving off the top of their heads and Conestoga
has finished at least in the top three for the last nine years,"
she said. "Our team has received a lot of one-on-one coaching from
professors here and has gone through one of the most intense learning
experiences they will ever have."
Adam Quigley, a third-year marketing student and one of the participants
for Conestoga, said just being involved has added so much more to his
experience in the program and the college.
" The quality of education is much more than anyone can get from
a textbook," he said. "The professors have been extremely supportive
and helpful."
Quigley said he wasn't too nervous before the event, but there was a little
bit of pressure because of Conestoga's past success at the competition.
"The experience and great reputations our professors have in their
fields definitely give us a competitive advantage," he said. "Any
college can replicate delivered information but the professors here make
the difference."
Even though it was third-year marketing student Matt Congi's second time
going to the competition, he still felt the pressure.
" We present to industry professionals so it is a little nerve-racking
but our teachers have prepared us well," he said. "Our teachers
deserve a 10 out of 10."
Matthew Weiler, a second-year marketing student and teammate, said they
were pretty positive they would bring home a trophy because they were
so well prepared.
" Whether we won or not, we've learned so much," he said. "Even
if we had come dead last, the experience is irreplaceable."
Deanna Dobson, a third-year marketing student and team member, said being
part of the marketing competition looks great on a resume but they have
also built a great relationship with teammates and with the professors.
" The professors here want the students to succeed and invest a lot
of real-life experience and broad exposure to make sure we do succeed,"
she said.
" Conestoga has the reputation for being the No. 1 college for a
reason."
By ERIC MURPHY